Katy Davit, Washington State's Voice of Democracy

Katy Davit (right), Washington State’s VFW Voice of Democracy winner, and her mother Maryann Davit, review the Washington, D.C. trip itinerary, Jan. 24, 2015, at the VFW Post and Auxiliary 2289, Seattle, Wash. Katy will be in Washington, D.C. from March 1 to March 4, 2015 for the national VFW Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom)

Washington's VFW Voice of Democracy

Katy Davit (right), Washington State’s VFW Voice of Democracy winner, meets with Linda Fairbank (left), the VFW State Surgeon, and Fred Green, the VFW State Commander, Jan. 24, 2015, at the VFW Post and Auxiliary 2289, Seattle, Wash. Katy competed against 15 other participants to win at the state level. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom)

VFW State General and State Commander with Davit

Katy Davit (center), Washington State’s VFW Voice of Democracy winner, receives recognition from Linda Fairbank (left), the VFW State Surgeon, and Fred Green, the VFW State Commander Jan. 24, 2015, at the VFW Post and Auxiliary 2289, Seattle, Wash. Katy has a chance at a $30,000 scholarship through the Voice of Democracy competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom)

McChord daughter becomes VFW's Voice of Democracy

Published Jan. 26, 2015
By Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Each year, high schools students from across the country compete to win scholarships through the Veterans of Foreign Wars "Voice of Democracy" competition.

This year Katy Davit, daughter of Col. Tony Davit, 627th Air Base Group commander, has been named Washington State's VFW Voice of Democracy winner. The audio-essay competition, established in 1947, begins at a local VFW Post level, and winners move on to the state and national levels.

The theme for this year's essay was, "Why Veterans are Important to our Nation's History and Future."

"It was easy to write, because I've grown up in a military family," said Katy. "I live on base and I'm constantly around it. I wanted to write the essay so I could get my voice out on something I'm passionate about."

As the winner of the state competition, Katy was awarded $1,500 in scholarship money from the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. Going to the national competition this March, she has the chance to win a $10,000, $16,000, or $30,000 scholarship.

If she wins, Katy has plans for her scholarship money.

"I want to major in interior design, and I'm thinking about minoring in marketing or business," she says. "Eventually, I want to open my own business."

Impressed by the students who competed and by the support of the VFW, Col. Davit expressed his thoughts.

"It's helped belay my fears for the next generation, seeing these patriotic young men and women participate in this competition," said Davit. "I don't think everybody knows what these programs can do for service members and their families."

For Katy, the VFW is sending her on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. While there she'll visit historical landmarks, memorials, and national museums, before discovering whether she'll place at the national level.

"I competed against 15 other people for the State competition, and at the national level I'll compete against 54," said Katy. "I'm hoping to do well, but I don't want to jinx myself!"

The National Voice of Democracy scholarship winners will be announced March 2, 2015.